Gender Equity in Media Festival
During our in-person 19th annual international film festival we proudly showcased a rich selection of talent from established and emerging women and gender-diverse filmmakers worldwide! GEMFest is now accessible virtually for an exceptional lineup of short and feature-length films spanning narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation genres. At GEMFest, we celebrate diversity, empower voices, and challenge norms. Thank you for joining us as we shine the spotlight on gender equity in film.
Film Program
Tracing the rise and fall of analogue feminist communications that preceded the MeToo era, Analogue Revolution is a about the labour, hurdles, and triumphs of Canadian feminist media history, between the 1970s-1990s. From Halifax to Vancouver, feminist storytellers of the 1970s to 90s took hold of cutting-edge media technology to document everything from violence towards women to how to insert a diaphragm.
From 2011 to 2013, tubas were stolen from Los Angeles high schools. This is not a story about thieves or missing tubas. Instead, it asks what it means to listen.
Eva, a 16-year-old girl, lives with her mother, her younger sister and their cat, but wants to move in with her estranged father. Clinging onto him, she tries to find a balance between the tenderness, vulnerability, and sensitivity of teenage life.
Rüzgar Erkoçlar, a former famous actor, struggles with self-realisation and acceptance in Turkey under the media spotlight as a trans man.
In response to a virtual and (dis)connected world, two girlfriends engage in a filmic provocation on their own terms. A conversation across borders—a swing and sway—that in ominous times becomes a dance of resistance.
Hanna leaves her family in Sweden behind to go to the city of her dreams, San Francisco. At a party, she meets the professional dominatrix Chloe and the escort Cyd and together they embark on a self-fulfilling journey. Over the span of a decade, these friends support and challenge each other to reflect on their lives, their bodies, the pleasure they find, and the work they undertake.
Blurring the line between narrative and non-fiction, Tautuktavuk portrays Uyarak and her eldest sister Saqpinak, as they embark on a difficult healing journey. This film explores issues of domestic violence and substance abuse from the perspective of two Inuit women, and centers the importance of community, culture, and family, in the journey of recovery.
Liv Sandor, 38, following an argument with her boyfriend, sets off to wander the city, observing passers-by and reminiscing about her past loves. In all her relationships, there was always a turning point, when things started going downhill. On the streets of Zurich Liv faces her fears, joys and demons.
Alexa navigates the world around her as a young Indigenous woman, actively building a safe space for herself and her friends to speak about life’s hardships.
A young Black woman has been hiding behind wigs for years until her Alopecia is exposed publicly. She uses this experience as a catalyst to break free of the shame she feels towards her baldness.
A woman breaks her silence on the abuse she suffers as a child, and in turn, experiences the systemic legal injustices facing victims. She decides to take action, herself.
A poetic exploration of identity and self-discovery, using visual symbolism to depict a woman’s transformation into a man. With the help of her inner manifestation, the ice man, she sheds her old skin and embraces her true identity.
A pregnant seamstress working in a sweatshop is sure that her condition will get her fired. She does everything she can to keep it a secret.
A parallel story about World-renowned musician Bright Sheng and his young daughter, a talented musician also. Duet explores how trauma and creative inspiration circulate intergenerationally through families.
An eleven-year-old girl turns into a feather duster at her baby brother’s first birthday party, soon after learning her parents only ever wanted a boy.
A father daughter relationship is tested as Dad drives Lucy to have her abortion and the two dance around what her future might hold.
A young woman collides with the spirit world as she journeys towards her right to bodily autonomy.
On the softball pitch, surrounded by spectators, a community of Muslim women find joy and connection through play.
On a sweltering summer day, Maxime’s irritation with her little sister Fred reaches feverish heights.
A scheduled meeting is disrupted by a chance encounter with nature and the difficult choice it brings.
An intimate encounter with Marie-Lise Chouinard, a radiant woman imbued with contagious liveliness, who has been given only a few months left to live. Cherry is the epitome of resilience, friendship, and hope.
A poetic ode to the intergenerational connection, an interrogation of colonial industries, and a reclamation of water and land as kin.
Jia-Lin is a transgender theatre actress who plays the role of a mother in a classic play. One day, her adopted son, Yu, was released from the Juvenile Detention House and settled down with Jia-Lin and Jia-Lin’s mother, but the family issue arose between the three as the play continued playing on the stage.
An acting class, a monologue performed, and a deep dive into the politics of both art and the classroom.
In this experimental doc, the transphobic narratives touted by dominant media are disrupted by authentic stories of experience, truth, and resilience, from the trans community.
An experimental meditation on the #MeToo movement, from the perspective of a woman of colour.
After noticing too many cases of sexual violence going unreported or unpunished within their own schools, 23 teen girls decide to take matters into their own hands.
Salomé embarks with Amandine and her team on the shooting of her film. Torn between her hidden ambitions and real contingencies, Salomé struggles with her story.
An innocent evening out at a local bar takes a life and death turn for two Indigenous women.
In a society where children are not heard and traditions are not to be questioned, the peaceful life of a 5-year-old is disturbed by a terrible event that forces her to find a way to recover peace and save her loved ones.
Carina hates love, but she can’t help looking for it. Maybe today, when she has a date after a long time, will be her lucky day. Or maybe not.
Two One Two combines shimmering clay on glass animation. It’s a story about the personal and the familial: a love letter to motherhood, parenting on the spectrum, and two headed monsters everywhere.
A young woman living with depression is forced to confront the darkness lurking within.
Lorenzo’s desire to explore his feminine side is a secret, and according to his religious family, secrets belong to the devil. With a choice to make, he’ll either live a lie, or come out to his loved ones by killing his secret and the devil himself.
Marie is driving on the highway and needs to pee urgently. But the toilet at the rest stop is broken. And an increasingly absurd odyssey through this toxic male biotope begins for Marie—and ends in blood.
A down-on-her-luck, recently single 30-something is forced to move back into her childhood home. As she reconnects with her brother who has Down syndrome, will their differences drive them apart? Or will they see they’re more similar than either of them thought?
Meet The Director’s Panel
March 6, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, VIFF Centre
GEMFest Meet the Directors Panel showcases a collection of visionary filmmakers from films featured in our 2024 festival. Join Moderator Dr. Jules Koostachin, award-winning filmmaker and Directors Guild of Canada member who completed her PhD at the University of British Columbia in conversation with Janessa St. Pierre, the filmmaker and star of Hair or No Hair, Jaime Gianopoulos and Kayah George, the directing team behind Our Grandmother the Inlet, and Mariam Barry, director of Yaye.
Cinematic Visions: A Discussion on Visual Storytelling
March 6, 3:30 – 5:00 PM PST, VIFF Centre
GEMFest invites you to a panel celebrating women and gender-diverse perspectives in cinematography. Join Moderator Polly Pierce, an award-winning director and cinematographer, Kaayla Whachell, an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Karina Jesson whose narrative work has graced prestigious festivals, and Belen Garcia, a queer Mexican Cinematographer. This will be an insightful discussion on visual storytelling as these esteemed cinematographers share their career paths, insights, and challenges as underrepresented voices in cinema.
Making Magic in Post
March 7, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM PST, VIFF Centre
GEMFest brings together a panel of post-production filmmakers for a dynamic discussion on the unique challenges and creative opportunities in the post-production process. From colour correction to sound design, explore the cinematic craftsmanship in shaping compelling narratives.
GEMFest Screenplay Competition Panel
March 8, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST, VIFF Centre
GEMFest presents a panel of talented screenwriters whose screenplays reached the finals in our International Screenplay Competition. Join us for a captivating discussion as our panellists share insights into their storytelling journeys, illuminating the power of diverse narratives in cinema. Moderated by Joan Macbeth.
Advocacy Panel
March 8, 12:30 – 2:00 PM PST, VIFF Centre
Join us for our annual Advocacy Panel Discussion focused on advancing advocacy and fostering inclusion in the film industry. Engage in a conversation with influential funders and key players within the industry as they share insights into their efforts to promote gender equity in the Canadian film and television landscape. This panel will include an in-depth conversation with Mehernaz Lentin (Telefilm Canada), Prem Gill (Creative BC), Kadon Douglas (BIPOC TV & Film), Tanvi Bhatia (Women in View) and Sheila Peacock (CBC).
Producing in BC Panel Discussion
March 9, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST, VIFF Centre
GEMFest is pleased to present a panel of talented and experienced B.C. producers emphasizing ethical and inclusive practices. Join Moderator Liz Shorten (CMPA) in conversation with Sara Blake (Seagrass) , Lori Lozinski (Little Bird, Don’t Even, A Motorcycle Saved My Life), Angelica Stirpe (Boldly), Shelby Manton (Boldly) and Priyanka Desai, an award-winning broadcast journalist-turned-TV Producer.
Awards Ceremony
March 9, 3:00 – 5:30 PM PST, VIFF Centre
GEMFest is excited to present a range of awards to our filmmakers, including feature and short awards for:
Best Performance
Best Cinematography
Best Documentary
Best Direction
Best of BC
and more!
AMIRA ANDERSON
Amira Anderson is a Vancouver-based actress, writer, and show creator originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance and International Studies before studying acting for film and television at Vancouver Film School. She was also a participant in Obsidian Theatre Company’s Mentor Apprenticeship Program. She has written, produced, casted and acted in many short films over the years, two of which are proofs of concept for TV series. She has also appeared on the CW, Netflix, Hallmark, Paramount+ and in many commercials. Her most recent work has been on Game of Deceit, which premiered on BET+ and her StoryHive Black project, Amara, which is currently streaming on OptikTV. Amira is an alum of Reelworld’s Emerging 20 program.
PRIYANKA DESAI
Priyanka Desai is an award winning broadcast journalist-turned-TV Producer, who specializes in stories that impact and entertain. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Priyanka is known for her understanding of diverse cultures across two continents. In Canada her credits include a variety of producing roles for the likes of TELUS Originals, Storyhive, APTN, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and AMI. Currently she is directing Not Your Butter Chicken a 4 part docu series for Telus Originals slated for release in May 2024.
JENNY LEE-GILMORE
Jenny is an actor & filmmaker based in Vancouver. She completed her BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia in 2019. Her debut short film Breakaway played in festivals across North America and was selected in the Top 9 of 2020’s CBC Short Film Face Off. She recently directed TELUS Originals documentary Overtime about her mom’s 55+ hockey team which earned her a nomination for the “One to Watch” award by the Vancouver Film Critics Circle. She’s an alumnus of the VIFF Catalyst mentorship program, BIPOC TV & Film Showrunner Bootcamp, GEMS TV Producer Lab and the Women in The Director’s Chair Story & Leadership program.
VANESSA MEYER
Vanessa is a filmmaker, producer, and programmer based in Brooklyn, NY. She makes movies (and other art) about how it’s hard to deal with our feelings and runs development labs and markets to help other people get their movies made. She has a PhD in Communications with a specialization in personal storytelling and feminist media studies. She is currently Programming Director for GEMS’ Genre Film Lab. She has worked for the Tribeca Festival, is the former Programming Director for Frontières Int. Co-pro Market, and was Head of Development for Brooklyn based Documentary Prod-co Hard Working Movies. She just completed her first fiction short film (Foot Trouble) and is currently in development on a one woman show.
Shasha McArthur
Ą́ba wašte, my name is Shasha McArthur. I’m a Nakota and Nehiyaw filmmaker based here in Vancouver, BC on the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam people. I joined the film industry to contribute to changing the under-representation and often misrepresentation of Indigenous crew, talent and creatives within the film industry. Sharing Indigenous narratives and traditional stories whether they’re fiction, or nonfiction often requires protocols and respect for the nation from which the story came. A respectful and mindful preservation of tradition is what I want to achieve with each project I undertake. I would like to say Thank You to the amazing Indigenous creatives that came before me, their tenacity and passion is what has created the path we all walk today.
“Nothing about us, without us.”
ALEXANDRA STASESON
Alexandra Staseson (she/her) is grateful to live on the Unceded and Traditional Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. She is a writer, performer and Founder of Storied North. For 20 years Alexandra has lead social media & community-outreach for film, TV & screen-based industry events, building audiences for 750+ feature films, memorably with FWC 2004-2020, Crazy8s 2014-2019, and with Leo Awards and National Canadian Film Day. A graduate of SFU’s trailblazing Community Capacity Building program, Ali was a Moderator for Canadian Screen week, Vancouver Biennale and Burnaby Festival of Learning.
GEMFest Pitch Forum serves as a dedicated platform for filmmakers to present their projects to production companies, broadcasters, and distributors within the industry. Designed to empower and propel Canadian talent, this event offers a distinctive space for project development, networking, and exposure to influential figures in the film and television industry. Filmmakers are encouraged to research and tailor their pitches to the company they are targeting.
PARTICIPANTS:
Jen Araki Playfair – Crystal Mountain Films
Jen Araki Playfair is an award-winning filmmaker, actress and founder of production companies Media Button and Crystal Mountain Films, which she co-owns with her husband Dylan Playfair. Jen directed, produced, and starred in the award-winning short film “Whistle” which Premiered at last year’s Cannes Indie Shorts, inspired by true events, she won “Best Female Director” at the Venice Short Film Awards and was nominated for Best Direction at the Leo Awards. Jen is currently in pre-production for a feature length narrative thriller called “Breeder” and has 3 features in development.
Nikki Beesley – Independent Production Liaison at Knowledge Network
Nikki has a wide range of experience in both scripted and documentary production through various roles. Prior to joining Knowledge Network, she worked on productions by Inspired Image Picture Company Inc, Force Four Entertainment Inc, Lighthouse Pictures Inc. In the role of Independent Production Liaison at Knowledge Network, she acts as initial contact for all new proposals and pitches, and liaises with filmmakers thereafter, checking in on their progress. She works closely with programming executives and Knowledge’s Business Affairs Department while she prepares, reviews, and coordinates documentation required to issue development agreements and letter offers for commissions and pre-license programs.
Lynne Crocker – Anaid Productions
As Development Producer with Anaïd, Lynne contributes to the development slate and ongoing productions with passion and curiosity. She was instrumental in the development of Hip Hop My House (MTV/Paramount). Lynne has an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Cinema Studies and minored in Gender and Equity Studies. She honed a keen curatorial eye in Toronto as an Associate Programmer for TIFF’s Discovery program and International Feature Documentary Programmer at Hot Docs, with a special interest in Queer cinema and stories from underrepresented communities.
Kim Guise – Telefilm
Kim Hsu Guise is the Feature Film Executive for Telefilm Canada. Kim has over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry as a lawyer, business affairs advisor and production executive. She has a full spectrum of experience including negotiating production-related deal terms, assessing project pitches for financing, setting strategic direction, and building and leading a diverse team of industry experts. Kim was the recipient of the 2018 Women in Film and Television Vancouver Bron Iris Award which is awarded to a person who has demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of women creators and their screen-based works.
Carolyn Irwin – Pink Buffalo Films
Director and Producer at Pink Buffalo Films and True Calling Media, Carolyn creates powerful documentary pieces profiling individual stories and the genuine details that make each person unique and captivating. With a decade of experience in the industry, from concept to completion Carolyn oversees all variety of productions, from documentary to commercial and scripted narratives. She was the first female director on Vogue’s on-going 73 Questions series, and has always been passionate about supporting and mentoring female and gender diverse people in this industry.
Jason James – Resonance Films
Jason James an award-winning director and producer based in Vancouver, BC. He is known for making stylish character driven comedies and dramas that have been released to acclaim both domestically and internationally. He recently directed/produced the thriller EXILE and the indie drama ENTANGLEMENT. His company RESONANCE FILMS is involved in a wide range of projects and collaborations in the film and television industry, making for a healthy development slate and exciting future.
Geoff Manton – Boldly
Geoff is a co-founder and Executive Producer of Boldly. He has worked closely with his partners to spearhead a Values-based producing model that has influenced countless commercial productions over the last decade. He has also woven this model into original projects and documentaries produced for Telus Originals and the CBC, along with multiple short films that have earned premieres at TIFF, SXSW and Slamdance. Geoff is now at the helm of Boldly’s Originals team, aimed at developing long-form projects across many formats.
Nicolle Rufino – Omnifilm Entertainment
Nicolle Rufino, of Filipino-Chinese heritage, relocated from the Philippines to Canada in pursuit of a career in the Film and Television Industry. Currently, she contributes her expertise to Omnifilm Entertainment as their Scripted Development Associate. She is a graduate of the Film Production Program at Vancouver Film School and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from British Columbia Institute of Technology. Nicolle is dedicated to empowering diverse creatives in their storytelling endeavors.
Shirley Vercruysse – NFB
Shirley Vercruysse is an Executive Producer with the National Film Board of Canada. Based in Vancouver she leads a team producing documentaries. Recent releases from the studio in include the feature-length documentaries, WaaPake (Tomorrow) directed by Jules Koostachin, Anything for Fame, directed by Tyler Funk, and Laydown Your Heart from Marie Clements. Acclaimed recent releases include Baljit Sangra’s Because We Are Girls, named Best Canadian Feature at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival; and Marie Clements’ multi-award-winning musical documentary The Road Forward, winner of the Canadian Feature Award at Dreamspeakers.
